By Selena Stevens

"We hope to bring Kentucky dietitians up-to-date on new information and research that can improve the lives of Kentuckians."

-- Janet Tietyen,
chairperson,
Kentucky Dietitic Association Conference

March 22, 2002 (Lexington, Ky.) -- The annual meeting of the Kentucky Dietetic Association April 18-19 will feature the work of several University of Kentucky faculty and staff members. "Commonwealth - Common Health" will be held at the Galt House East in Louisville.

"We really wanted to focus on health in Kentucky and the many concerns of which dietitians should be aware," said Janet Tietyen, chairperson for this year's conference and a food and nutrition specialist with the UK Cooperative Extension Service. "We hope to bring Kentucky dietitians up-to-date on new information and research that can help improve the lives of Kentuckians." The conference will feature presentations from a variety of UK researchers.

A recent report led by Tietyen on junk food in Kentucky schools will be the subject of the keynote address at 9:15 a.m. April 18. At 1:15 p.m. that day, Janet Braun of the UK Women's Health Center will talk about women's health in Kentucky, followed at 2 p.m. by Bernhard Henning of the College of Agriculture's Cell Nutrition Group presenting his work on the effects of fat, antioxidants and cell function on atherosclerosis.

On April 19, Deborah Crooks, a professor in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Anthropology, will present her findings from a study of overweight children in Appalachian communities at 8:45 a.m. Gabriella Pessah of the UK Counseling and Testing Center will talk about body image and eating at 10 a.m., and Lisa Gaetke of the College of Human Environmental Sciences Department of Nutrition and Food Science will offer her research findings on leptin's affect on appetite regulation.

"UK's host of presenters shows how active and dedicated UK is to helping Kentuckians and fulfilling the land-grant mission on which UK was founded," Tietyen said.

Kentucky Rep. Joni Jenkins of Louisville, chairperson of the Kentucky Women's Caucus, will provide attendees with an update of the Kentucky legislative session at 10:45 p.m. April 19.

Other presenters at the meeting include Michael Zemel, professor of medicine and nutrition and director of The Nutrition Institute at the University of Tennessee; Emma Walters of the Kentucky Department for Public Health; Sylvia Moore of Mercer County School Food Service; Paul McElwain, director of School and Community Nutrition for the Kentucky Department of Education; and James Sullivan of the Jefferson County Health Department.

The conference also will feature student poster and alliance showcases, a silent auction and a reception including a showing of the IMAX film "The Human Body."

Registered dietitians, food service managers and directors, county Extension agents, wellness program associates and directors, and educational leaders are invited to attend the meeting. Both KDA members and non-members may attend.

Registration fees vary based on days attending and membership from $20 to $200. A late fee will be charged for registration after April 5.

For more information about the annual meeting, including a complete schedule and registration information, contact the association by phone at (502) 223-5322, by fax at (502) 223-4937, by mail at 1501 Twilight Trail, Frankfort, KY 40601, or by e-mail at clicking here. The association's Web site can be found at www.kyeatright.org.